Your confusion is due to not really reading the rule books, all nine of them, and nearly 500 pages.
The handgun rules books alone are about 150 pages worth.
Just keep them in the bathroom.
Sooner or later you will wade through them all.

SAO handguns are not allowed in Production division, but are in Single Stack, Limited, Limited 10 and Open. Perhaps that is where the confusion came from.

This is correct. Most competitive in Single Stack, but works well in Limited 10 if you have 10 rd mags. Also, SS is better if your holster is more like Production division gear. Limited 10 is more tolerant of racey gear.

Not sure it really is 500 pages, but that includes pistol, rifle shotgun, precision rifle, and multigun, in 5 different books. Just want pistol? That is 100 booklet sized, large-ish print pages including tables and pictures and blank pages for notes. Feel better?

I thought a Colt Gold Cup was considered a modern pistol, but there were a few comments that it was older then most of the shooters at the match.

Gold Cups were the pinnacle of factory handgun development....in the 70's. By the time my Series 80 Gold Cup was made, others challenged, and when the sights fell of mine, I figured some upgrades would be good. I still have the gun, but new sights and new bushing make it more fun to shoot.

Kraig, you know this, but for others - unless you choose to go into another division, the single stack and a 92 do not compete head-to-head.

Quote:

Thank God for cast bullets, you go through a heck of a lot of ammo shooting two guns at these matches.

Check out page 82 of the Handgun Rules for details on the Single-Stack Division. Here is the Special Note, which is key to the division:

Quote:

Only 1911 production type pistols. Must be available to the general public and have their basis in the original 1911 service pistol as designed by John M. Browning. Pistols made from components that duplicate the factory originals are acceptable. Frames must be metal.

By the way, the XD is considered SAO, but has been approved for use in Production Division. I can't think of any other SAO guns that have been approved, though (especially ones with external hammers).

This email link is to reach site administrators for assistance, if you cannot access TFL via other means. If you are a TFL member and can access TFL, please do not use this link; instead, use the forums (like Questions, Suggestions, and Tech Support) or PM an appropriate mod or admin.

If you are experiencing difficulties posting in the Buy/Sell/Trade subforums of TFL, please read the "sticky" announcement threads at the top of the applicable subforum. If you still feel you are qualified to post in those subforums, please contact "Shane Tuttle" (the mod for that portion of TFL) via Private Message for assistance.

This email contact address is not an "Ask the Firearms Expert" service. Such emails will be ignored. If you have a firearm related question, please register and post it on the forums.